The Cubs haven't won the crown since 1908. They haven't made it into the World Series since 1945, when they lost to the Detroit Tigers and the purported billy goat curse was put on the club. The 71-year wait between championship appearances is the longest stretch for any team in the four major American sports (MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL).

The Indians have the second-longest drought without a World Series title, last winning it in 1948. Until this year, when the Cavaliers won the NBA championship, it had been more than half a century since Cleveland won a title in any major sport. The Indians last reached the World Series in 1997, painfully losing to the then-Florida (now Miami) Marlins in the 11th inning of Game 7.